HEROISM IN HUMBLE LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2608, 30 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

HEROISM IN HUMBLE LIFE.

The aanals of heroism furnish few braver deeds than that which has just set the little servant maid, Minnie Murrell, in the full blaze of recognition. The story of how she saved three young children from a fearful death by fire reads like a romance of the noblest type, which indeed it manifestly is. Let no one after this say that chivalry and devotion are dead in the humbler classes, or that those qualities only exist on the battlefield. In the houRB of Mr Inglis, of High-street, Dorking, a gas explosion took place on the night of the 10th September last. The family had retired to rest, and the shop below with all its contents, wero speedily aflame. Minnie Murrell, who is only fifteen years of age, rushed to the room where the children were sleeping, and secured the baby with a blanket. Mrs luglis snatched the infant from her, and escaped with it safely into the street Bnt Minnie, nothing daunted, returned for two children aged three and five respectively, and with one under each arm she bravely descended to the first storey ; but she could go no further, for the stair were all on fire and burning fiercely. Going to the window of the front room, she flung it open, and calling out to the spectators, "Catch the children," she dropped them safely into friendly hands. Mr Inglis, much scorched, had now come to the gallant girl's assistance, and not a moment too soon ; for, her duty being accomplished, nature gave way, and she would have leaped from the window under the stress of her hysterical feelings. Fortunately, her master caught her in ' time, and lowered her carefully to those below, and saving himself afterwards. Minnie, who is a native of the little fishing village of Leigh, near Southern!, now belongs to all England ; for her deed will be remembered with those of Alice Ayres, Grace Darling, and others who have shed immortal lustre on her sex. She has most deserved!} received a testimonial from the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Pire, together, with a donation of £5. But this modest, courageous, retiring girl has a greater reward than that. She will live in the grateful recollection of the people for all time ; and we need not despair of the greatness and stability of the English race when even young girls like Minnie Murrell can become true heroines under circumstances of surpreme peril. _^^____^^____